Tower Hamlets Wheelers and Better Streets for Tower Hamlets Joint Meeting Minutes – May 2021
Tower Hamlets Wheelers and Better Streets for Tower Hamlets Joint Meeting Minutes – May 2021
These monthly meetings are held jointly between Tower Hamlets Wheelers and Better Streets for Tower Hamlets.
Held online via Zoom
Wednesday 12th May 2021 at 19:30
Attendees – Owen, David, Keith, Helen, Dan, Felix, Kate, Martin, Julie, John, Iain
Apologises –
Liveable Streets Update
Brick Lane
- The consultation closed in April and we expect it to be a few months before we hear the results.
Bethnal Green
- The council has moved ahead with Option 2 on the Barnet Grove closure which was consulted on further with local residents.
- After receiving a large number of responses from residents during the original consultation about closing Ropley Street to through motor vehicles, the council will be carrying out an additional consultation on that potential closure in May.
- There are to a couple of Dr Bike sessions held along Old Bethnal Green Road in the future as part of the Liveable Streets scheme.
- It has been noted that Apple Maps/Google Maps etc are relatively slow at picking up the new road closures which can cause frustration for drivers if they are sent down a road which is no longer a through-road.
- Individuals can submit updates to Apple Maps/Google Maps etc & it has been suggested that a number of us could spend an hour one day all submitting the updates to hopefully have the relevant navigation apps updated.
- See https://talk.towerhamlets.gov.uk/LSBethnalGreen for latest updates on the scheme including construction timelines.
Bow
- We expect work on the Bow scheme to commence soon following political purdah
- See https://talk.towerhamlets.gov.uk/lsbow for latest updates on the scheme including construction timelines.
Shadwell
- The scheme should be going to public consultation soon
- Cllr Rabina Khan has arranged a walk around the area with the Liveable Streets team so could be worth feeding any concerns/feedback/suggestions into her before the meeting so that she can bring it up with the Liveable Streets team.
Old Ford West
- We are still waiting to hear the results from the public consultation that took place over November 2020.
Rides & Events
- First after work ride is to take place on Tuesday 25th May.
- ACTION Keith to plan route & confirm starting time.
- We post any planned rides on our website here https://www.towerhamletswheelers.org.uk/diary
- A Dr Bike was held at the pop up playground outside Chisenhale Primary School as part of their community events.
- Both Keith & Owen delivered the Dr Bike & were kept busy throughout as it was well attended.
Workshop
- Limehouse Town Hall is happy for us to restart the workshop again on Saturday 19th June.
- You can find out more information about the workshop here, https://www.towerhamletswheelers.org.uk/workshop
- Upcoming dates for our workshop are posted here,
- https://www.towerhamletswheelers.org.uk/diary
Cycle Buddies
- We have a number of posters to put up so suggestions of locations across Tower Hamlets are welcome. If anyone would like a digital copy of the poster to print off, please contact Iain.
- ACTION – Iain to prepare social media content for sharing.
- We currently have 20 experienced and 18 new/returning riders on the scheme.
- Find out more about Cycle Buddies here, https://www.towerhamletswheelers.org.uk/tower-hamlets-cycle-buddies
Newsletter
- ACTION Iain to finish putting together a simple A5 Spring newsletter which can be printed on plain A4 paper for workshop/any events. To send to Julie once completed.
- It was noted that content for a newsletter such as mini articles should not be the sole responsibility of one person in order to make sure it is sustainable.
- Suggestions for content include a top tip on bike maintenance and an update on Liveable Streets scheme
Living Streets
- Alex has been leading on setting up the Tower Hamlets Living Streets group.
- Two named contacts are required in order to set the group. If you are interested, please contact either Alex or Dan to find out more.
Finance
- Annual accounts were submitted last month & have been signed off and approved.
- It was proposed that we should claim the LCC borough group grant.
- ACTION Owen will create the budget & put in claim for the local group grant from LCC central.
Future Meetings
- ACTION Owen to find out what St Margaret’s rates are & if they have internet availability
- First possible face to face meeting would be in July at the earliest.
- ACTION Martin to see what the rates are at QMU
- It was noted that since holding the joint meetings via Zoom, we have been able to welcome individuals from different organisations to present as well as open the meetings up to more people.
- If we go back to face to face meetings, it would be useful to have a space with internet access and potentially a screen so that individuals can still join via Zoom and for sharing links/looking at documents etc.
AOB
- An informal LCC Group has been restarted that focuses on increasing the number of women cycling. If you are interested in finding out more, please contact Helen.
- Prestons Road Consultation closes 4th June https://talk.towerhamlets.gov.uk/prestonsroad
Next Meeting – Wednesday 9th June 2021, 7.30-9pm, The Cabin, St Margaret’s House, Old Ford Road, E2 9PL or via Zoom if lockdown is in place. Email or contact on social media to receive the invite link to the Zoom meeting.
Latest Cycling News
Upcoming rides & events
Social media & email groups
Keep in touch with local cycling issues and events by joining one of our email groups.